Web Browsers - HTC Startrek

Mobile web browsing is always a bit of a struggle. If the browser is too loaded, its too slow. But if the browser is speedy, it normally means it doesn't do enough.
I have 4 browsers on my phone (5 if you count Opera Mini).
Here's how I use each one:
Internet Explorer:
Stock browser, great WAP support. I use PIE (pocket IE) when I need to go to a site I know is designed specifically for mobile phones, or if I need to quickly check something on a website. It's my "Speedy browser" if you will.
I have this set as my default browser for compatibility reasons so that if an application needs to load a page, IE will run and I typically won't have any issues.
Pros: Fast, supported by carrier/manufacturer/microsoft, quality WAP support
Cons: Lack of/poor javascript support, almost purely mobile browser (no desktop-like feel), restricted file-type downloads, weak download support
JB5:
I installed it because everyone says its good, but I never found a real use for it. It's slower than IE, but doesn't do enough in my opinion. Moving on...
Pros/cons left out for lack of testing.
Opera Mobile: (beta verson 8.65 - expiring Oct 1, 2007)
Takes a few extra seconds to load the browser, and browsing the internet is a little slow. However, the sacrificed speed goes to adding a nearly full desktop browser with JavaScript support as well as a download manager (with no file type restriction), multiple window support, and powerful page compression options.
Of all the browsers on my phone, Opera Mobile is definitely my current favorite, but it does have its flaws - speed for one. It's not the slowest (see MiniMo) but its no speedster. It's definitely slower than JB5, and does lock up occasionally (probably simply because its beta). There are bugs, showing that it is still not a finished product, and it does fail at render certain pages on various occasions.
Pros: Rich in feature, Excellent JavaScript support, Download manager without file-type restrictions, pause/resume downloads, nice "desktop-like" browser feel on a mobile browser
Cons: Slow, beta and buggy, expires oct. 1 and is not free, multiple render issues and failure to load images
MiniMo: (Mini Mozilla - version .2)
I was surprised when I installed this one to see that it actually worked on Smartphones. The first time I installed it, I thought the buttons didn't work so I removed it. Then I decided to give it another shot. Now I discovered how it works:
Left softkey - Cycle selection area (Tab-bar, Web Page, Navigation buttons)
-Hold - Main Menu
Right softkey - Cycle click-able objects (page links, individual buttons)
-Hold - Quick menu (Find, FullScreen, Back, Forward, Reload)
Center button - Select highlighted object
Okay, MiniMo is by far the slowest of all the browser at loading. It takes quite a while to load the browser, and the page loads are comparable to Opera Mobile, whereas they are tolerable, but still slow. I believe it does have an easier time accessing the network than Opera Mobile does, but don't have any hard proof of that.
The Navigation of this application is very difficult and take a lot of getting used to, but the browser is definitely the most powerful of all listed here. It can even handle Google Maps.
As for page rendering - it has an option called "SSR", which I assume to be Small-Screen Render", however, it seems that it can't be disabled. The pages still render in full, but do not fit-to-screen and there is no option for such.
Pros: Practically IS a desktop browser, full render-capabilities, nifty font size up and font size down buttons, RSS support (not a feed-reader alternative though)
Cons: Painstakingly slow, beta bugs, no "fit-to-screen" option, difficult menu system and navigation, weak download support (similar to PIE's)
Opera Mini (stable, v3):
The included HTC Midlet Manage is garbage in my opinion. However, it's the best I can get my hands on, so it's what I use. OperaMini is as mobile of a browser as it gets. From what I understand, it used a proxy which compresses the site (including resizes pictures) before transmitting them to your phone. This makes the browser surprisingly fast. It has a nice UI (if only the midlet manager would allow fullscreen) with transitions and runs fairly well. However, it is unable to download files. In the event it is presented with a file to download, it will open the device's default browser (in my IE) and direct it to the file.
Pros: fast, compressed pages, excellent mobile browsing
Cons: Unable to download files, unable to load a selection of sites in decent quality
Opera Mini 4 (beta):
At the time of writing this, the browser crashed and/or freezes far too often to get an idea of how well it works. Does look fairly promising though.
In the end, I'll use IE if I want speed, Opera if I want features or a desktop like feel, and MiniMo if Opera fails to render the page. Opera Mini might come in periodically, maybe if I'm stuck in a GPRS area.
So, what do you guys use and why?

Opera Mobile sometimes crashs and I have to plug out the battery to end this. So i removed it.
By so far, WM isnot support JAVA so perfect(run JAVA in full screen,with network connecting and sound), now i'm using JBlend. It's a changed version,someone change the program so it can show full screen, but it doesn't have network connecting function.
Mozilla is toooooo slow.
So i choice IE and UCWeb(A Chinese program and it's server is also in China,see more at www.ioicn.com.cn).

Hmm, are you talking about Opera Mobile (the actual WM app) or Opera Mini (the java application)?
And thanks for that UCWeb ...I'll take a look at it....

thelostsoul said:
Hmm, are you talking about Opera Mobile (the actual WM app) or Opera Mini (the java application)?
And thanks for that UCWeb ...I'll take a look at it....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The WM Opera beta,maybe because it's beta.

dtsme said:
The WM Opera beta,maybe because it's beta.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really? Not the Java one?
I haven't really had that much of a problem with it freezing or crashing on me and use it a lot.

Also see http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=323651

Related

Opera Mobile 10 beta (Windows Mobile) is Out

Just saw it from opera. Administrator pls delete if someone already post it. (i searched and it is no)
More features
Opera Turbo
Opera's servers compress Web pages up to 70%, greatly reducing the cost of browsing.
Touchscreen & keypad
The user interface has been optimized for both touchscreen and keypad-style mobile phones.
Typing less, browsing more
Save time with Web address auto-completion, password manager and inline editing.
Web standards
Opera 10 is based on the latest Opera browser engine so your favorite Web sites work as they do on a your computer.
Rich Web content
Browse Web applications sites like Facebook and Gmail, and enjoy the rich interaction.
Opera Dragonfly
Connect your mobile phone to your PC and debug Web applications remotely. Read more here.
Adaptive zoom
In just a few clicks easily pan and zoom into your desired content.
Privacy
Be in control of your privacy. Manage your passwords, history, cookies, and cache.
Saving pages and images
Save Web pages and images for later offline viewing.
http://www.opera.com/mobile/download/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBUmiDLRcNs
I uploaded to sendspace
http://www.sendspace.com/file/ucqzd1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBUmiDLRcNs
the link above doesn't work.
I'm very disapointed... Check out how it formats the pages, looks like crap compared to 9.5... I've tried many sites and they all look so much better in 9.5. I was really hoping they would have fixed this since the 9.7 beta...
The UI feels nothing new since I've been using Opera Mini 5 since it was released... This looks very much the same...
still no flash support.
support QVGA?
TheRem said:
still no flash support.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think we have to wait for adobe to release the full flash 10.1 for mobiles...
works well in elfin thanks
Doesn´t work on my Touch HD. It starts, but then it stopps saying on the top bar Opera Mobile 10 beta and i can´t press any button and no page is coming up. Thought it would make some autoconfiguration for the first time, but even after 5 minutes nothing happens. Ok it´s stil beta, but shouldn´t it at least start?
It's work fine on my hd!
At the first time you must start it from start menu, so it complete the setup process with the aknowledgement, after you can use from internet tab!
Someone use landscape mode, i didn't find it...
Bookmarks ?
Hello,
how can i import older Bookmark in Opera 10 ?
Rename the opera6.adr in anyone else or something?
Greetz
Hat
Sorry for my bad english...
Damn no flash support still up till now
Oh I thought they have flash support this time. but otherwise they have done a good job.
Am I the only one who thinks the official 9.7 beta was better???
It used the accelerometer on my Diamond and had really cool animation effects when tilting the device into landscape and other stuff....
Is there a way to enable accelerometer in Opera 10???
Also is this version not opengl accelerated like 9.7 was, besides the new "improved" UI I think this version is a step back from 9.7.
I don`t know some peoples already say about the new Opera 10 its nothing more than all other versions but i don`t think so.
1st when i install on my HD this beta i saw its much more faster than the 9.7 or 9.5 Also the view of the pages is much more better and clear and all the menus of the opera are just fast and awsome.
On the same time i just test for how long will load a page.
For example i choice a random page and i use Opera 9.5 then use Opera 10 for the same page in the same internet connection and i can say that this 10 BETA is minimum 3 times faster than the old Opera.
The Only bad things is that still not have a full Flash support but soon this will be fixed and then we will have a awsome fast beauty Browser for our devices
Maybe depends from ROM`s or....
If this matter im with NRG ROM from the signature.
I really don't like the single touch zooming, how annoying is that everytime I click a link it zoomes in and I have to zoom out again...
don't know if this is a good development, it is defenately quick, but it lacks in quite a few things.
tsalta said:
Also the view of the pages is much more better and clear and all the menus of the opera are just fast and awsome.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Compare it to Opera mobile 9.5 and you will see that 9.5 shows the pages exactly as they look on the PC in overview mode... Opera 10 makes the sites look bad since it wraps the columns in overview before you've zoomed in. I can't stand using this browser until they've fixed this issue.
The turbo mode on 10 is a lot slower than the turbo mode in opera mini 5 beta. Very disappointed, as most times I don't care for perfect rendering...just want to be able to read what I want to read quickly.
I'll continue to use mini as my main browser, as it also uses a lot less memory. 10 is nice if I need to do some "real" web browsing though.
Is anyone else missing Opera link, it was great for Mini, but still not on 9.5-9.7-10, saw somewhere that it was not included on 9.7 as it was a beta, but if all they release is beta's then its never gonna happen (
...
Any way, how to set Zoom more then 200%? Google reader text quite small on my Diamond.
Hi, Where does opera 10 install itself. I would really like to try it out but i do not want it to touch any of my opera 9.5 files in any way.

Opera Mini 5 now a native Windows Mobile app, plus mortscript for default links

Opera's latest beta of Mini is now in WM native code, so doesn't need java. It's really very fast.
Details at http://m.opera.com/next
Anyhow, I always used the java version of OM, and had a mortscript to make it the default browser for email links etc... so I've butchered the mortscript to work with the new non-java version of Opera Mini.
Some things to note...
The way it works, I couln't use mortscript to sebt ctrl-v to paste the url, so I used mouse control to bring up the context menu to paste. Therefore, it relies on the address box to be in a consistent place, so only works on QVGA devices like my Mega (Touch2) - for non-QVGA devices, someone will need to change the coordinates on the mouse commands in the mortscript.
It works on a new instance of OM fine, in standard mode and full screen. It works onto an existing instance of OM if not running fullscreen... the fullscreen mode seems to work strangely if you've scrolled down the page - I send a 'home' keypress' which in normal mode returns to the top of the page, but doesn't always in fullscreen mode.
So here's how my changes to the originl java om script work...
I run or switch to "\program files\opera mini5\OM5.exe" so make a copy of the current of executable called that - the executables seem to be named as the current release version.
Once OM is running, I send a 'home' keypress to get to teh top of the page. Then I send a mouseclick near the top to try to get in the address box, then I send one slightly lower down. This allows for both full screen and standard displays. If you're on a non-QVGA device, these will need adjusting.
Once I'm in the address box, I send four backspaces to clear the "www.", then I send a hold mouse command to bring up the context menu, and then a mouse click to select paste - again, non-QVGA is going to be trial and error...
I tried sending "#1" to get to enter URL, but it didn't work, neither did ctrl-V to paste!
I haven't modified the original installer, so you'll need to install the cab and then overwrite the mscr in \Windows with the butchered version.
This is just a quick and dirty workaround. Hopefully someone out there will be inspired to do a better/neater version, or at least create a neat installer!
can you learn me how to convert the Jar to cab?
thanx
Interesting. So what is the difference between Mini 5 and Mobile 10 now?
Opera Mini 5 Beta 2 for WM
"While Opera Mini traditionally requires Java, the new Windows Mobile version does not, which means the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) on the Windows Mobile device is no longer needed to run Opera Mini. "
*above*
hehe tell him what he really wants to hear...
ok i will...Mini is fast a f**k compared to opera 10..
only differene i have seen is the way you scroll though pages not as smooth at 10..
Indeed, I personally find Opera Mini 5 far better than Opera Mobile 10.
It's faster, more convenient, use less data, etc... And mainly it's faster, faster, faster
Opera 10 is definitely too slow compared to Opera Mini. I'm not patient enough.
The only thing Opera Mini is missing is Flash...
are you guys having slow scrolling when browsing pages too?
like if you compare the smoothness to 10 vs mini...
OK, first, this release is a crap. It's far worse than the java version. Some bugs till now: you can't login to certain pages, it doesn't work corectly with the SIP- if you press delete once the prompter will fastly go backwards and delete the entire text! So be carefull.A similar behaviour I encountered on the arrow keys: if you press once right or left the prompter will not jump a character, it will go at the begining or the end of the text. Also a friend reported that on his device this version of opera mini misses the exit button.
Too bad for this release, the browser in this stage is lame.
And stop comparing opera mini with opera 10. They are tottaly different, despite they look the same. Opera 10 does full browsing and opera mini uses servers to resize data before sending it to the phone, that's why it's fast.
The best browser I have tried for my mobile!
Finally I cand read the pages without a lot of zooming and adjusting.
So what is the difference between Mini 5 and Mobile 10 now?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
of course you know that all mini's are using opera server to generate smaller amount of data being sent to your devices.
it's whole secret of its speed and main difference(i wouldnt make bank transactions that way, generally)..
Okay this is confusing. I thought that the whole server resize thing was Opera Turbo, which comes built in in both mini and mobile now, right?
cyanide911 said:
Okay this is confusing. I thought that the whole server resize thing was Opera Turbo, which comes built in in both mini and mobile now, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My understanding is that Turbo in Mobile is sort of a half-way version - I guess they are rendering images server-side and sending text for rendering on the device, or something like that. Mini is definitely much faster, and I haven't encountered any of the problems that other people are reporting about not displaying pages, input or anything yet on this release, having used it for a couple of days.
I guess if you use your winmo device for full web browsing, you're going to use mobile, but if like me you use it for email, surfing news sites, forums and message boards, then mini is just sooooo much faster, even with mobile turbo mode now available.
are you able to download attachments to your storage card?? is isn´t listed to select where to save.
djkasmic said:
are you able to download attachments to your storage card?? is isn´t listed to select where to save.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, I've already reported that bug in opera forums.
hihi is opera link broken in this veR?
my seems to be
leobox1 said:
hihi is opera link broken in this veR?
my seems to be
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Works on mine = check that your device isn't uppercasing the first character of your username or password
cant replay topics in this
i cant even search any thing in any site!
when i use a search engine (like google or yahoo) and press search on that page it wont search and just reload the existing page!
any body have the same problem?!
vahid_ppc said:
i cant even search any thing in any site!
when i use a search engine (like google or yahoo) and press search on that page it wont search and just reload the existing page!
any body have the same problem?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem searching using the search from teh top of the page.
Can't post anything on forums etc, so it looks like the submit biuttons don't work.
I'm still finding it brilliant just for general surfing, and there's always mobile or the old java version to fall back on if needed.
TangerineTractor said:
No problem searching using the search from teh top of the page.
Can't post anything on forums etc, so it looks like the submit biuttons don't work.
I'm still finding it brilliant just for general surfing, and there's always mobile or the old java version to fall back on if needed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes but just it search's with google engine!
what if i want to search with yahoo or bing or...?!
i posted it because i was looking for a solution(if exist!)
thanks any way

no html 'real web browsing' on optimus?

the previous android phones i'd been using on t-mobile all provided real, desktop/laptop-like web browsing experiences on the phone. not the constrained and formatted for mobile web http://[B]m[/B].espn.com type browsing. so i was a little disappointed when i activated my optimus v on virgin for the first time today and started browsing to notice that the mobile web always loads websites in the constrained format.
is this a limitation of the handset? is there a setting in the mobile browser that you can perhaps change to view it in real html? or is it a limitation of the network even (virgin/sprint)?
Every serious webpage has somewhere at the end of page an optiom to change to desktop version. For example when you go on Google it gives you desktop/html onl/mobile options.
By defult the site is responsible to decide which version to bring you. It does that by reading you device type, which saiz android.
For example facebook forwards you to touch.facebook.com on smarthphone and m.facebook.com for featurephones.
Any yes browser has a setting to "fool" site what you are using. You can chance user agent in setting all browsers can do this, the options are android/iphone/desktop.....
But i leave this to android, if you chance to desktop you will see desktop facebook, which is much worse than touch version. It is easier to just find at the bottom the link to change to desktop version for sites that think android should be viewing mobile optimized, sily them.
Change your browser's user agent to Desktop or something like that. Skyfire, Dolphin HD, etc lets you do that easily.
For the default browser, check this link.

[Q] Dolphin Browser HD Settings Help

Out of curiosity what is the optimal settings to use in Dolphin Browser HD on a Rooted NT?
I ask because when i first opened it, it asked which User Agent to use, choices being Android, Desktop, iPhone and iPad, not sure what to choose, i went iPad it was closest in size, but i figured Android would be better so i changed it in the settings.
The thing is, i noticed no difference so can someone explain them a little, or just tell me which setting to use? Also is their any other notable settings to use?
Thanks to all who took the time to read and more thanks to those who answer.
It's what the browser tells the website it is. Some pages redirect you to a mobile site if you pick android.
I usually like ipad as that seems to be the best for the 7" form factor. Sometimes though that still redirects you to the crap mobile site.
Same with desktop, usually good, but sometimes a site is just a mess, especially if they are loaded with a million adds or have mouseover menus.
Android usually redirects to the crappiest but slimmest version of the site. Usually appreciated on my phone, but not so great on my tablet. Usually.
Pick whatever and if there is a site that annoys you then just switch.
Relevant settings on mine:
Dolphin settings
. User Agent = Desktop
Page content settings
. Text size = large
. Default zoom = medium
. Open pages in overview = disabled
These allow me to browse mostly in portrait, which is my preferred orientation.
IME, Dolphin HD is the best of a bad lot. Some pages still don't render correctly. And it does statistics collection which I detest.
Am looking forward to trying the native Firefox once it gets a bit more polish.
Gestures can be turned off via the setup wizard.

UCBrowser

UC Browser V3.4 released, search "UC Browser " in Windows Phone Store.
★SD Card Support
Export your downloaded files to SD Card or Public Folder for better file management.
★Bluetooth File Sharing
You can now conveniently share downloaded files to others through Bluetooth or QR Code.
★Menu Optimization
A brand new Menu that’s easier to use and gives a better browsing experience. Speed Mode is now on main menu.
★General Improvements
Font size adjustment available by long pressing page in Speed Mode; Optimization for more fonts on WP 8; Improved bookmarks; Bing search bug fixed.
Absolutely saved web browsing on my WP8 (very underwhelmed with IE mobile). One request would be a search icon down the bottom (next to the home icon) for one handed use with larger screens.
UC Browser is the best mobile browser I have ever used. It is even faster and smarter than Opera: With cloudy system, makes your mobile browsing smoothly as well as save your traffic.With various popular wap sites embedded, helps you open the most visited sites conveniently.
But I think the most important advantage of UC Browser is the powerful download manager, which supports to resume downloads from breakpoints, especially for network with a higher disconnection rate.It's really smart. I think that's why it is so popular all over the world They have 300 million users in 150 countries, which is much more than Opera.
windows phone store: UCBrowser
would love a sextion to input domain username / password for authentication also
ciciv2014 said:
UC Browser is the best mobile browser I have ever used. It is even faster and smarter than Opera: With cloudy system, makes your mobile browsing smoothly as well as save your traffic.With various popular wap sites embedded, helps you open the most visited sites conveniently.
windows phone store: UCBrowser
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
would love a section to input domain username / password for authentication also
Surfy feels way better on windows phone
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